Writing
Recent Newsletter Articles
Teaching Writing Skills Through Gratitude
Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity and that gratitude can decrease stress and anxiety. Gratitude journals are a great way to give students frequent writing practice with mental wellness benefits. Read More
50 Shades of Meaning
Explicit vocabulary instruction can often be a neglected vein of ESL instruction. This article provides research-based, user-friendly ideas to grow students beyond a surface level knowledge of words to deeper vocabulary comprehension and usage. Read More
Support Adult Learners with Resources from ELM and Ebooks MN
The High School Equivalency Center, part of LearningExpress Library (LEL), helps students prepare for the GED, HiSET, and TASC exams by offering tutorials and micro lessons in reading, writing, grammar, vocab, spelling, and math. The Adult Core Skills Center gives adults the tools they need to achieve their personal educational and career goals, whether that includes becoming a U.S. citizen or improving reading and vocabulary skills. Read More
Focus on Writing Instruction This Fall with the ATLAS Writing Study Circle
Back by popular demand, the Writing Study Circle is scheduled for this fall and is open to teachers of all levels! The fall 2023 study circle meetings will be virtual, making participation from around the state easier. Participants will have the opportunity to dig deeply into some resources related to writing instruction and then implement key strategies with their students. Read More
Desmos: Interactive and Engaging Online Instruction
At the start of my virtual instruction journey in 2020, I tried out several instructional tools to make my online synchronous instruction more engaging than a talking head and a PowerPoint. Desmos is the only one I’m still using three years later. Originally built for math instruction, Desmos is a virtual instructional tool that allows you, the teacher, to build interactive practice for students, accessible via a link or code, and lets you see each student’s work live as they are doing it. Read More
ATLAS Writing Study Circle Application Deadline Extended to January 25
Sometimes the sequel is even better than the original; watch “The Empire Strikes Back,” and tell me I’m wrong. Like that George Lucas classic, the ATLAS Writing Study Circle that debuted last year was full of action and adventure. And while our fan base might not be ready to compete with Star Wars just yet, in 2023 we will be back by popular demand. Read More
Journeys Anthology 2023: Call for Submissions!
This fall, we invite your learners to share their voices and submit their original stories and art for publication in the 2023 edition of Journeys. Friday, December 2, 2022 is the deadline for this year’s submissions. Read More
A Walk in My Shoes: Videos to Help Everyone Have a Place at the Table
This documentary video series features stories from first-generation college students and aims “to create awareness about the diversity, the challenges, the opportunities and the benefits each student brings to campus.” Watching the videos would be an excellent way to begin a conversation about a number of important topics, such as the barriers that first-generation college students face, the value of persistence, and the importance of “making room at the table” for diverse voices in educational spaces. Read More
Project-Based Learning in Action: How to Be a Successful Online Student – Part 2
Instructor Dan Bruski describes how he led his low-intermediate ESL students through a project-based learning activity around composing a list of rules and expectations for their online class. The culmination of the lesson was the creation of a video on "How to be a successful online student," which has an authentic use for orienting new students. Read More
Project-Based Learning in Action: How to Be a Successful Online Student – Part 1
Instructor Dan Bruski describes how he led his low-intermediate ESL students through a project-based learning activity around composing a list of rules and expectations for their online class. The culmination of the lesson was the creation of a video on "How to be a successful online student," which has an authentic use for orienting new students. Read More